Hello all :-)

I am currently unemployed by choice and writing a horror novel. I thought I would open up a thread on what kind of fiction you enjoy reading.

I love horror novels, therefore I am writing one :-)

My novel is an old fashion haunted house story. It has all the elements, and takes place in Louisiana.

My favorite authors are: Shirley Jackson, E.A. Poe, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Anne Rice, Tamara Thorne and recently I just discovered Jack Ketchum.

I was also wondering if any of you had the opportunity to experience Tad Williams "Otherland" series? Tad Williams is a fantasy writer (which I don't normally read) but his "Otherland" books are more SF, in my opinion. They deal with a few people who get caught in virtual reality, wonderful reads! The virtual reality worlds they are trapped in are like real life, and their adventures are awesome. I recommend them highly.

Okay so I'd just like to find out what you all like to read. I am also looking for a few brave souls to read my first draft once I am finished it. I will mail it to you, along with a SASE and a short questionaire to fill out. There will be no need for you to critique for spelling/grammar. I just want to get a basic opinion from some people that I do not know in real life how the story unfolded for them. Did you like the characters? The story? Were the ghosts believable? Very basic things like that. There will be spaces on the questionaire for comments. If you do this for me, I will list your name in my book as a critic, when it is published. (Yes, it WILL be published!)

I thought that this forum was a good place to look for some victims, err, readers of my draft because all of us here believe in ghosts. (Mahahaha)

I would also be interested in learning how many of you are avid readers, and what you read. Do you like basic ghost stories? What authors do you seek out? Is there any author that you wait for their next book, and order before it is off the press?

Thank you guys so much in advance, this is such a cool site! I am loving Spiritkeep!

Kudos to the keepers of the message board here, a job well done!

Wings0nite

P.S. My Wings0nite name is a reference to a vampire. Since I stay up half the night writing into the wee hours of the morning, I found it appropiate. Besides, Anne Rice's vampires are so cool, especially Louis who was always MY favorite.

Okay, so I am replying to my own post! Someone shoot me please, LOL.

Forgot to tell you that if you help me with the first draft thingie, and you don't want your name mentioned, let me know. I will not mention you. All I need is readers that do not know me, and therefore will not be bias.

I sent my sister a portion of the book and she said:

Hi, Reni -

I like it, I like it ! You really have a way of getting inside of Lester's
head. The way you write really sucks the reader into your world....


This is NOT what I need. I adore my sister, she obviously adores me. I need to take this past family and friends... I need folks who do not know me reviewing this...


Wings

Hey Wings!

Horror is my favorite as well! I've read a lot of Stephen King and Dean Koontz books. I'm going to look into some of the authors you've mentioned too.

When I read a book, I want to be taken on a journey with the characters. I want the author to be descriptive enough (without be boring) that I can picture the people, their homes, family, the town they live in as I'm reading. I like to get lost in the story. A good example is Intensity by Dean Koontz. I read this book in two days because I couldn't put it down. I felt like I was right along with her during her whole ordeal I could picture everything as it happened. In fact, several times I had to put the book down and take a break from the suspense. Now that's a good book!

Along with a good story line, I also like a book to have surprising twists and turns along the way. It's no fun to always guess what will happen next, so be sure to throw a few monkey wrenches in I love being so intrigued that I can't wait to turn the next page!

Since there are many books about haunted houses, try to come up with something different in yours. A new twist on an old classic would be great.

Keep us posted on how it is going. I wish you all the best!

Ahhh, my favorit subject: Books. I am an avid reader. I have a fairly wide range, Jane Austen is one of my favorites, The Anne of Green Gables Series, My all time top three favorite books are The Secret Garden, Gone With The Wind, and To Kill a Mockingbird, as a fourth that come's really close to the top three is The Human Comedy. My current favorited series authors are Laurien Berenson, Janet Evonavich, Lillian Jackson Braun, Rita Mae Brown, Tony Hillerman- all mysteries and the first four with a great deal of humor. Of course I can never forget to add Harry Potter. I have enjoyed some of the older Dean Koontz books and some Stephen King books individually. With Anne Rice I liked the first Witching Hour and the first three Vampire books. There are so many books and authors that I've enjoyed along the way that I can't even begin to name them all.

I would be very interested in reading your rough draft, I would give you honest and detailed oppinions and answers to your questionaire. Let us know when your ready for that step.

Hi Wings,

I read more of the true crime, some horror (I also like fictional ghost stories, such as the one you're writing), but am not fond of Sci-fi. I also love a good biography (if I find that person interesting enough ).

I'd love to help read your draft, my only fear is that because I'm so busy with so many things, I may not be able to read all of it in a timely enough manner to meet whatever deadline there might be. I certainly wouldn't want to keep you waiting! So, I guess we could consider me a stand-by in case you don't get enough volunteers. =)

Kell

Wings-

I pretty much will read anything that looks interesting. As Kell mentioned, I also enjoy true crimes stories(I am obsessed with Court TV's forensic files show). I like to read a lot of books on history also.
If you need someone to be brutally honest with you...who also has a bit of writing experience(school paper, creative writing club, avid poet) I can help you out by reading a some of your novel.
Let me know if you are interested in my opinion.

I'm an avid reader also -- just not much time for it lately. I like Anne Rice and some of the others mentioned. My all time favorite is Mark Twain; if I could meet any historical figure from the past, ol' Samuel Clemens would be at the top of my list. I adore Sharyn McCrumb -- she writes in two very different genres, both equally well. Many of her novels are set in the Appalachian mountains and contain some elements of the supernatural. I also like Barbara Michaels, aka Elizabeth Peters.
I loved the series of mysteries by the late Anne George -- she was hilarious, and I sure do miss her! I can't forget Kinky Friedman, his novels are not for the easily offended, the "Kinkster" has never been very politically correct, but he is quite amusing.
I guess I tend more toward mysteries. My perfect evening at home is curled up with a good mystery and a cup of hot chocolate!

I used to be an avid scifi-fantasy reader.
Now I read mostly non-fiction. I'm always reading something or two.
I still enjoy some sci-fi and fantasy but not very often. JK Rowling is fun to read. Frank Hebert is really good. A lot of Anne McCaffrey. Julian May. Douglas Adams. Brian Hebert. JRR Tolkien.

I've never read a horror book. Never got into it. Always had my hands full with other books.

Right now I'm reading The Spiral Dance by Starhawk. I love learning about religions and spirituality.

I don't know how I missed this topic! I love to read. I mostly read mystery, true ghost stories, history and of course horror. Some of my faves are Mary Higgins Clark, John Saul, Anne Perry, Sara Parentsky just to name a few. I have many more there just too many to name!

I had to reply to this one. Finally I meet some people that read! In answer to ur question I love reading! My fave genre is fantasy (I love to escape!) and horror. I love all the scary stuff and a book is even better if it has well developed characters that you can relate to. Fave authors include Tolkien, Terry Brooks, Stephan King, James Herbert is ok...err..JK Rowling and loads more. Good luck with the book!

PS: I have read some of the Otherland series..they r quite good. I just have trouble finding them!

Hi everyone!
I read anything! Terribly addicted to Stephen King! What a mind huh? LOL
I really do prefer true stories, but enjoy a well written fictional one also.
Someday, I also hope to write a book =) Right as soon as I can sit down in one place for more than an hour!
I am off work on medical (which means, you get the grandkids **) LOL If you would like me to read a chapter or so of your book, feel free to send it!
So much to read, so little time.
((((((hugs)))))
Piglet

I'm new here so you probably don't recognize me. my name is Mark. I write fiction as mkgilbert.

Here's a link to my website:

http://geocities.com/mkgilbert61/[/URL]

I'm also the fiction editor for Deviant Minds:

http://deviantminds.com/[/URL]

I'm an affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association.

I read a lot of stuff. Fiction mostly.

I've read a lot of the horror genre, published and unpublished, old and new.

Here are some of my favorite writers:

John Steinbeck
Victor Hugo
William Shakespeare
Lewis Carroll
Charles Dickens
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Alexander Dumas
Edgar Allan Poe
H.P.Lovecraft
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Mark Twain
Thomas Hardy
JRR Tolkien


Some of my favorite horror stuff is by:

Stephen King
Peter Straub
Robert McCammon
Robert Bloch

This list could go on, but it would begin to include writers most of you have never heard of.

Also I often find a new book by an unknown author that reads as well as the classics.

I'm glad to be here. This looks like a cool place.

It's nice to have met you all.

mkgilbert
ps. you'll not find my books in the stores (yet)
I'm always working at it though.

Psst, Psst, Wingsonite, ehemmm, .....

Write a horror story about an author who goes onto a messageboard, states that he/she is writing a horror novel, would like people on the board to read copies of the unfinished novel, and then goes out and murders the readers whom he/she sent the novel copies to.

Don't tell anyone else I gave you this idea. =)


So who's first??? LOL.

Nakis

Hey Wings dont be sending me a copy of your novel

Uh? Not me k? Please, I beg of you!
Spare me! LOL
Are you related to Stephen King? That is a good idea for a cool horror story! You may be on to something here?
But, still I don't want to read it =P LOL
((((((((((hugs)))))))
Piggie
P.S. Ya' know, just in case or something, why take chances?

Nakis?
What\if it was a Winnie Pooh hater and he/she hunted down all the pooh characters online? Maybe I should change my name! LOL
I still think you have a GREAT story line there!
It could be called, "Dying to Read."
I know, I am so jerky!
((((((((hugs))))))))
PIg

Oh no dont let him get Pooh! We'd better set up a shelter for Pooh and gang, they are my absolute favourite books, I've just done Beckys room in Pooh, excuse the phrasing, actually I've got quite into V.C. Andrews they are a bit deep and a bit weird but I got hooked on her books after seeing the film Flowers in the Attic and I've read some of Stephen Kings stuff but I suppose I read more Pooh cos of Becks. (sorry couldnt resist)

Lynne

I have one book to recommend, just because it has stayed with me since I read it and I think that everyone should read it at least once!

Donna Tartt - The Secret History

Next time you're in Barnes & Noble or Borders or Waterstones or whatever, seek it out, read the blurb and go "hmmmmm...."


And then buy it!


I guaran-****-tee you'll be blown away.


UM

Oooh,Tamara Thorne,Harlan Ellison(have you ever read Deathbird),Robert R. McCammon,Peter Crowther,Poppy Z. Brite,King,Koontz,Clive Barker,Peter Straub,Jack Ketchum,alllll that got a subscription to Cemetary Dance magazine too!Splatterpunks,Hot Blood,Love in Vein...Big time horror fan!